The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-25

puoto 1Ooru VI nshlbns
The laws OF this commonwealth
have very wisely provided by law for
the organization of State Board of
Health, and under the law onerous and
responsible duties are imposed upon
the Board.
Not only is it required to perform
for the entire commonwealth the duty
of abating nuisances such as is assign
ed 10 each local board within the vari-
ous limits OF its own city, but It must
shave q general supervision Of the
lives and health of the citizens of the
common wealth, study it's vital statistics,
make sanitary Investigations and in.
quiries respecting the causes of disease
and especially of epidemic diseases, in
Guiding those of domestic animals, and
respecting the sources of mortality, and
the effects Of localities, employments,
condition, habits, food, beverages and
medicines on the heath of the people. {"
1t must disseminate information upon
these and similar subjects among the
people"
1t must Institute sanitary inspections
Of public institutions or places through
out the state. at must certify and
suggest amendment to the sanitary
laws of the commonwealth 1t must
"enforce such regulations as will tend
to limit the progress of epidemic dis
cases." 1t is its duty 'to have the
general supervision of the state system
ofregistration of births, marriages and
deaths and of prevalent diseases, TO
prepare the necessary methods, forms
and blanks for obtaining and preserv-
ing such records, and TO enter the
faithful registration of the same in the
several councils and in the central bu-
reau of vital statistics at the capitol of
the state" and "to suggest such laws
and amendments of laws as shall iu.
crease the efficiency of such registra-
ton; and finally it is called upon to
make an annual report of its proceed
ings, which "shall contain other useful
information relative to the objects for
which it was created" And all this it
is expected to accomplish on $4,000 a
year, out of which comes the secreta-
ry's salary of $4,000.
In no other state of the union have
such varied and compreh ensive duties
been assigned to the State Board Of
Health. So numerous have been the
calls upon it for the one duty of in.
speoting and correcting local insanltary
conditions and the outbreak: of disease
consequent upon them, that no means
have been left to be appropriated to
scientific investigations. Other states
which impose in some instances fewer
duties make more liberal provision
for their discharge. In order to insti
tute q comparison let it be borne in
mind that Pennsylvania has an area of
46, 900 square miles and population
approaching 100000.
New York with an area of 47,O0O
square miles and population of less
than 5,500,00J has for several years
appropriated $4,000 annually to the
use of her Board.
Massachusetts, with an area of only
1890 square miles and population Of
less than 100000, last year gave the
State Board of Health $22, 500.
Illinois appropriates $4,000 annual
ly and places contingent fund OF
$4,000 at the disposal Of the Board
for use in case of great emergencies.
New Jersey with an area Of but T..
576 square miles and a population OF
less than 100000, gives her Board an
appropriation of $500, with au addi
tional $1,000 for food analysis. Mich.
igau appropriated $4,000 and large
medical staff besides. The following
six states, only one OF which has q
population of 100000 and three OF
which have population of less thar
100000, each appropriates as much
as this great and rich commonwealth
for the protection of the life and healtf
of its citizens-viz New Hampshire
Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesots
and South Carolina.
The salaries of the secretaries in sil
of the larger and more populous state,
range fiom So, 800, to $4,000.
But it is not money alone or primer
pally that the Board asks of the law
giver. 1t desires to have it's hand
strengthened and proper machinery fo
executing its manifold functions fur
nished by appropriate legislation. tt
this end it has presented to the presen
legislature number of bills, which, i
passed, will confer upon 1t equal pow
ers, as it has already equal duties an,
responsibilities, with all local boards o
health throughout the state, will ena
BILE it to make its system of registra
ton of vital statistics thorough, accu
rate and complete, will bring it int,
close relations with every township il
the state, through the medium O
county boards of health and TOWNSHIP
health officers, will provide for tn
printing of its reports and of the com
pendulum of sanitary laws, which 1t ha
prepared, and will authorize it to dea
summarily with all wanton and unnec
essary pollution Of the waters of tn
comm ,uweslth. If the Board is ex
pected to accomplish the object
for which it was created,
should be furnished with suficieu
means to enable it to do 80. A libers
appropriation by the Legislature fo
this purpose could not be expended i
better cause.